Inmates Working as Medics in Rural Illinois

AP

Published: October 4, 1987

VIENNA, Ill., Oct. 3—
The Johnson County ambulance crew makes emergency runs like any other team of medical technicians. But at the end of the day some members of the crew do not go home. They go to prison.

These medical technicians are convicted felons, inmates at the Vienna Correctional Center, a minimum-security prison in southern Illinois.

The State Department of Corrections started the program in the mid-1970's because the county could not afford to run its own ambulance service, said the warden, Larry Mizell.

The six inmates now in the emergency medical technicians program have good disciplinary records and earn about $40 a month, Mr. Mizell said.

Prisoners in the program said they take pride in their work.

''You have to feel kind of special to be in the program because you're everywhere in the community,'' said Virgil Hooper, 37 years old, who has 15 months left of a 10-year sentence for home invasion. ''I'm proud of myself if nobody else is. I would like to say the E.M.T.'s in the program have made a commitment to change our lives around, and to take that something positive and use it.''

The ambulance station is staffed in 12-hour shifts by six civilian medical technicians and two inmates. A civilian driver deputized by the local sheriff supervises the inmates. A coordinator hired by the county board manages the operation. Release From Stress

At one time the medical teams also served neighboring Pope County, but Pope started its own ambulance service in 1985.

The job provides a release from the stress of prison life, said Scott Carter, 23, who is serving the final four months of a 7 1/2-year sentence for armed robbery. ''When you're here, you know you're an inmate,'' Mr. Carter said. ''But when you're out there, people don't set any rules for you because they appreciate what you're doing for them.''

Kort Barber, 21, said the medics from the prison gave him skillful care when he suffered shock and cuts and bruises during a car accident on June that left the driver, Stephen Fike, in a coma.

''If it wasn't for those two guys, I don't know about Steve,'' Mr. Barber said. ''They gave him excellent care.''

Mr. Barber, a student at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, said the prisoners '' seem to care.'' said Barber, .

''They have to prove that they are ready to come back to society and be productive,'' he said.

The inmates take an eight-week course offered through Southeastern Illinois College in nearby Harrisburg, and subsequently must pass an emergency medical technician test.

Their behavior in prison has been generally good, Mr. Mizell said, but about a month ago three inmates were accused of participating in a drug delivery scheme involving a local resident. The case is pending.

Residents' reaction to the program varies.

''There is mixed emotions,'' said Tom Jones, a bank executive. But he added, ''If it got down to a life or death situation, I don't care who is trying to save my life as long as they're qualified.''